# The Noble House of Brattleby Announces The Noble House Club
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby has today formally announced the establishment of The Noble House Club, a private educational initiative dedicated to sharing the extensive historical archives and nearly millennial-long narrative of the Barony of Brattleby with a discerning global audience.
## The Occasion
From its ancient seat in Lincolnshire, The Noble House of Brattleby has inaugurated an initiative to honour its profound historical inheritance. The announcement of The Noble House Club marks a significant moment in the House’s modern chapter, providing curated access to a legacy stretching back to the Norman Conquest. This digital salon, conceived in the quiet country environs of Brattleby village, is designed to serve as a conduit between past and present. It aims to foster a scholarly appreciation for the nine centuries of English and European history in which the Barony has played a part.
The initiative is launched in the spirit of renewal that followed the formal recognition of the Barony’s revival in 2022. It represents a considered effort to translate the duties of custodianship into an accessible, contemporary format. The Club will function as a modern scriptorium, where the stories and records once confined to vellum and charter rolls are meticulously presented for study and reflection.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby is woven into the fabric of English history, a story which begins with its grant by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as the holder of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, establishing a lineage of remarkable influence. The Noble House Club will provide members with unique insights into the lives and times of these distinguished predecessors.
Members will explore the tenure of figures such as Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baroness who famously defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels and French forces during the First Barons' War. The archives also illuminate the period under Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, a celebrated commander and diplomat of the Hundred Years' War. Of particular note is the era of John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, whose immense power as Duke of Lancaster made him one of the most significant political figures of the 14th century. This initiative seeks to honour their legacy, *inter alia*, through diligent scholarship.
## Distinguished Company
The Noble House Club is established under the patronage of the current incumbents of the Barony. The initiative is personally guided by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby. Their joint leadership provides the vision for the House's contemporary role, blending deep respect for tradition with a forward-looking public-facing mission.
Both Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan are closely involved in the curation of the Club’s content and the stewardship of its educational aims. They are supported in their duties by a commitment to the long-term continuation of the line, secured in the person of their heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron in succession.
## Ceremonial Protocol
Engagement with The Noble House Club is governed by a protocol of scholarly decorum and intellectual curiosity. Membership provides access to a structured programme of historical content, including digitised primary sources, expert commentary, and narrative essays on the Barony's past. The presentation of materials adheres to a standard of academic rigour, ensuring that the historical narrative is delivered with both accuracy and stylistic grace.
This approach reflects the same ethos of discipline and refinement taught at The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House's etiquette academy. It is considered a *sine qua non* of participation that members approach the material with a spirit of earnest enquiry. The Club is not merely an archive but a curated journey through history, guided by the House’s commitment to education and cultural preservation.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The activities of The Noble House of Brattleby are undertaken in the spirit of its ancestral motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). This guiding principle informs the mission of The Noble House Club: to chronicle the Barony’s history with the fortitude to confront its complexities and the honour befitting its distinguished forebears. The motto serves as a constant reminder of the duty of stewardship.
This is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). In the context of the Club, this sentiment is interpreted not as a military creed but as an intellectual one: to conquer ignorance and obscurity, ensuring that the lessons and legacies of the past continue to live and inform the present. Heraldry, as the shorthand of history, is a key focus, with the Club providing explanations of the arms and symbols associated with the Barony through the ages.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While distinct from the House's direct charitable fundraising, such as its annual Winter Banquet in aid of Healing the Wounded Child, The Noble House Club is fundamentally philanthropic in its purpose. Its mission is to advance historical education and preserve cultural heritage for the public good. By making these once-private archives accessible, the House is contributing to a wider understanding of Lincolnshire’s heritage and its place within the national story.
The initiative is operated on a basis of cultural enrichment rather than commercial gain. The aim is to build a community dedicated to the preservation of history, fostering a deeper connection between people and the places a family has served for centuries. It is an act of giving back, sharing a unique inheritance with those who value its significance.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the Club’s establishment, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked:
> “We see ourselves not as owners of this history, but as its current custodians. *Fortitudine et Honore* compels us to ensure this extraordinary legacy is not only preserved but also shared. The Noble House Club is our way of opening a door to the past, allowing others to walk alongside the remarkable figures who shaped this Barony.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile articulated the modern vision for the project:
> “History should not be confined to dusty archives; it must breathe, challenge, and inspire us. Through this initiative, we seek to bring nearly a thousand years of history to life for a new generation. In this sense, *Vincere Est Vivere* — we conquer the silence of the ages to ensure these stories may live on.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The launch of The Noble House Club is the first phase of a broader educational programme. The House intends to expand the Club’s offerings over time, with plans for a series of digital lectures, collaborations with historical societies and academic institutions, and the potential for future scholarly publications.
This long-term commitment underscores the House’s dedication to its role as a guardian of heritage. The initiative will evolve, but its core purpose will remain unchanged: to honour the past, serve the present, and build a lasting educational legacy for the future.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern expression of one of England’s most ancient baronies. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to the preservation of its unique heritage and a forward-looking mission of cultural and social responsibility. Its activities are guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The House’s philanthropic endeavours are focused on supporting vulnerable children, principally through its annual Winter Banquet for the charity Healing the Wounded Child. It also promotes education in social and diplomatic skills through its acclaimed etiquette academy, The Brattleby Club, which has a chapter in Bucharest.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal barony in Lincolnshire, England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its existence is first documented in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, which records its holder, Colswein of Lincoln, as a significant tenant-in-chief. Over nine centuries, the Barony passed through the hands of several of England’s most influential aristocratic families. Notable incumbents include Nichola de la Haye, the heroic defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and the royal prince John of Gaunt, an ancestor to the Lancastrian kings. The continuous history of the Barony and its contemporary revival under the 12th Baroness were formally acknowledged by The Crown in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** - The revival of the Barony under Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, was formally gazetted in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony of Brattleby was established in AD 1066 by grant of William the Conqueror. - Notable predecessors in the baronial line include John of Gaunt (11th Baron), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron/Baroness). - The hereditary seat of the Barony is Brattleby, Lincolnshire, England.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com